For the Tomahawk Leader
TOMAHAWK – Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital in Tomahawk has been recognized as a 2021 Top 100 Critical Access Hospital by the Chartis Center for Rural Health.
“This 11th annual recognition program honors outstanding performance among the nation’s rural hospitals based on the results of the Hospital Strength INDEX®,” a release from Ascension explained.
“This honor is a tribute to our dedicated team of clinicians and associates and their commitment to patient quality and experience based on a comprehensive and objective assessment of rural hospital performance in the United States,” said Laurie Oungst, Chief Administrative Officer for Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital.
Carmen Viegut, Ascension Sacred Heart Director of Nursing, credits an attention to detail for programs that identify and treat patients who may be septic and the use of defined best practices for treatment of cardiac issues as key factors for the award.
“Another focused effort provided local care during the COVID-19 pandemic for those waiting to receive care at skilled nursing facilities,” Viegut stated. “This required a high level of cooperation and communication.”
“The Top 100 program continues to illuminate strategies and innovation for delivering higher quality care and better outcomes within rural communities,” said Michael Topchik, National Leader, The Chartis Center for Rural Health. “We are delighted to be able to spotlight the efforts of these facilities through the INDEX framework.”
Over the course of the last 11 years, the INDEX has grown to become the industry’s most comprehensive and objective assessment of rural hospital performance. Based entirely on public data and utilizing 36 independent indicators, the INDEX assesses rural hospitals across eight pillars of performance, including market share, quality, outcomes, patient perspective, cost, charge, and financial efficiency. The INDEX framework is widely used across the nation by independent rural hospitals, health systems with rural footprints and state offices of rural health, which provide access to INDEX analytics through grant-funded initiatives.